Arsene Wenger apparently sees the adaptable Old Trafford youngster as a potential replacement for veteran right-back Bacary Sagna and is ready to launch a £12m bid for the 24 year old.

Arsenal were keen on signing Smalling during his time at Fulham and will now try again to land the England international this summer.

David Moyes is apparently ready to consider selling Smalling, who has started 18 of the club’s 33 Premier League fixtures, not least following the club’s disciplinary action against the one time Maidstone man after he was caught partying whilst injured.

Smalling can play at centre-back as well as on the right hand side of defence and the Londoner could perhaps be tempted by a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Man United signed Smalling in January 2010 and he has gone on to make 119 appearances for the club and is likely to be part of Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the upcoming 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Time is seemingly running out to persuade Sagna to sign a new Gunners deal with his current contract set to expire in a matter of months.